Lando Norris believes McLaren must "get used" to the idea of challenging Max Verstappen and Red Bull following on from a strong Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying.
Norris won in Miami last time out, defeating Verstappen as the world champion snared pole position at Imola, finishing less than a tenth clear of McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Norris in the recently-upgraded McLaren.
Piastri was bullish over the team's chances of a challenge on race day with Norris of the opinion that the team must adjust its mindset as it challenges Red Bull more frequently.
"We still need to get used to it, but we're getting closer, and to be able to say we're ahead of Ferrari is a nice result," Norris said.
"I mean P3 is not a bad job at all, and both of us were within a tenth for P1, so tiny, tiny margins, but I think for us as a team, we had a very good day.
"We've had a very good weekend so far, Oscar has done a great job and so has Max, so it is exciting we are close and I can't wait [for the race]."
Viewed by others:
Practice had indicated that the race would be a fight between McLaren and Ferrari as Red Bull struggled for pace, but the Scuderia faltered in qualifying, although Norris still believes a tight race is in store.
"It is going to be close, it is going to be a good race, and hopefully an exciting one to watch," he said.
"It will be an exciting one in the car, but tough especially when the lap-times are so tight.
"A lot of it is down to Turn 1, lap 1, the strategy and the pit-stops so it is going to be tough."
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!